Snowmobilers!
 The lazy Moose is a snowmobilers dream!

Skim down a trail on a sure, powerful machine. Explore thousands of miles of winter landscape: snow-covered forests and crystalline lakes; winter views from mountain tops and granite bluffs; sun-lit valleys and drifted meadows knee-deep in Wisconsin white.

That's the lure of a Wisconsin snowmobiling adventure: exquisite winter scenery coupled with an unparalleled trail system and a form of winter transportation just plain fun!

Wisconsin defines snowmobiling. We invented the sport. And over the past twenty-five years, we've developed a trail system second to none! More than 25,000 miles of top-quality trails now link every corner of the state. Trails are well-marked and methodically groomed by hundreds of local snowmobile clubs.

County trail systems are linked to thousands of miles of trails in state and national forests to enhance Wisconsin's unique system of interconnected snow highways.

Hayward Area Snowmobile Map

CLICK  MAP FOR
Hayward, Wisconsin
Snowmobiling
Information

Trail contacts, maps & snowmobile rentals

Hit the trail runnin' with the latest trail and rental information to help plan your Wisconsin snowmobile adventure. Additionally, a statewide snowmobile trail map is available free of charge by calling the Wisconsin Department of Tourism at 800/432-8747

Chequamegon Forest (Bayfield & Sawyer counties)

Snowmobile Conditions

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If snow snakes ever really existed, they must have cut the trails in Sawyer and Bayfield counties. People interested in full-throttle riding won’t find it here, although you can make up some time on this tour’s many lake crossings. These trails were made for a more leisurely pace through the great Chequamegon (Sha-wa-ma-gun) National Forest and surrounding Sawyer and Bayfield county forests.

There are more than 600 miles of groomed trails in Sawyer County connecting with another 550 miles in Bayfield County. They can take you all the way north to Lake Superior. The route shown here is a bit more modest, but no less impressive. You'll sled across six of the area's largest and most beautiful lakes. While ice crossings always require an extra measure of caution, (ask locally about ice conditions), they are an exciting part of snowmobiling in the north.

Hayward is a popular four-season resort community. You’ll find excellent accommodations, restaurants and shopping – all geared to winter tourism. Riding south from Hayward on Corridor Trail #31, you pick up Trail #3 heading east across frozen Lac Courte Oreilles ("Lake of the Short Ears").

Trail #3 winds north across Grindstone Lake, then east to the Chippewa Flowage. Created in 1923 by the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Chippewa River, the flowage is a maze of islands and inlets. Don't worry; the trail is easy to follow -- a good thing on a lake with more than 200 miles of shoreline.

On land again, you head north into the rolling terrain of the vast Chequamegon National Forest, where you'll cross Lost Land Lake. Resorts along the shore offer gas, food and accommodations.

Further north you'll pick up Corridor Trail #8 breaking out of the dense forest onto Lake Namekagon. The largest lake in Bayfield County, it is the source of the Namekagon River and a product of the lumbering era when the river was dammed to float logs out of the forest.

Riding west, follow Trail #7 to the crossroads village of Cable. Visit the Cable Natural History Museum which offers mounted native wildlife and nature displays, (open year ‘round, Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, 715/798-3890). Cable is also one end of the famous American Birkebeiner ski marathon that each year attracts 6,000 of the world’s best cross county ski racers. The "Birkie" is staged between Cable and Hayward on the last weekend of February.

Trail south from Cable on Trails #13 and 8. Between Seeley and Phipps, Trail #8 turns sharply west around, then across Nelson Lake. Good food, accommodations and gas are plentiful here before the final leg south on Trail #63 back to Hayward.

Trail Facts

Miles of trail: 110-mile loop. Or, take a shortcut on Trails #5 & 18 to make a 90-mile southern loop, or a 62-mile northern loop.

Jumping off points: On-street parking in Hayward or Cable.

Attractions on-route: Chequamegon National Forest, the Cable Natural History Museum, pleasant small towns, lake and forest scenery.

Attractions off-route: Lac Courte Oreilles Casino Lodge & Convention Center.

Caution: Be sure to check locally on conditions before any ice crossings.

Follow the route carefully; many trails are easements on private land.

Note: There are more trails in and around this recommended route than are shown. Request a local trail map from the contacts listed below for complete area trail and service information.

For more information:

Bayfield County Tourism & Recreation; P. O. Box 832 W; Washburn, WI 54891-0832; 715/373-6125, 800/472-6338

Cable Area Chamber of Commerce; P.O. Box 217; Cable, WI 54821-0217; 800/533-7454; 715/798-3833

Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce; P.O. Box 726; Hayward, WI 54843-0726; 800/724-2992; 715/634-8662

Trail conditions: 800/724-2992; website at www.hayward.com

Emergency: Sawyer Co. Sheriff at 715/634-4858; Bayfield Co. Sheriff at 715/373-6120.

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